back pain
Posted By: marilyn on 2007-10-04
In Reply to: My back is killing me today. What do - getting old at 43
This is probably more info than you want, but I had the same problem a few years ago. I'm soon to be 52. Had to see a chiropractor after a while. He told me it is called "tailor's seat" and the best thing to do at home is ice 20 minutes at a time, do not sit in a recliner, take ibuprofen and if you can afford it, get chiropractic treatments; if not, I would suggest using a massage therapist. I actually have done both. The ice worked the best for me. I still do it sometimes. I also bought a spine cushion for my desk chair. That helps, too. Good luck.
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No leg or back pain here
I do try to sit up straight and hold in my abs, which helps the back. I also try to remember to breathe deeply once in awhile - raise up your rib cage and take in a good deep breath. I also switch the pedal foot, sometimes use the left and other times the right. I started doing that long ago when I got to thinking - what if I had a cast on my right foot, how would I work? Started using both feet - solved that problem.
My problem is my shoulders. I do shoulder rolls at my desk and also do stretching. They still get tight though.
And my RIGHT THUMB! From hitting the spacebar so often. When that gets bad, I pad it with a Band-Aid.
Back pain sm
Have had this problem for years. Tried everything. The best cure for me is one of those microwaveable heat packs you can pick up from a mall kiosk, is made of cotton with rice-like material inside and perhaps some fragrance. You can make your own but would suggest you buy one, as wouldn't want it to be flammable. After all I have tried, a few Tylenol and the hot pack, lying flat on my back for perhaps 15 min., gently relieves the spasm/pain. Believe me, I have tried every gadget, PT (works for the session, then back to pain), have everything ever made for back pain and you have to be your own therapist. Try heat, rest, lie flat and at night, instead of Tylenol PM I use plain Tylenol and a Benadryl (sometimes 50 mg (2) help me to sleep. Getting the stress off your back is the only way in our profession. It hurts!
Back/neck pain
If anyone responds to the post about upper back/neck pain, please let me know - I have the exact same problem, and it makes long hours just miserable sometimes! Thanks in advance!!
Upper back pain
In the past I have had the same problem, but I found that when I lowered my chair it was greatly improved. It seems I can type faster with my chair higher, but when I lower my chair I have much less pain. It is something to do with the angle in which my arms are.. When they are pretty much level with the keyboard that is a great improvement in the pain, although I have to sacrifice a little bit of speed it is well worth it. I also use a split keyboard which also seems to make an improvement in my pain. I have been at this work for 30 years and believe me I have had pain in all parts of my body related to sitting in this chair in the same position for many hours at a time. I wish you well.
Posture/back pain
Or, try this link.
http://www.backjoy.com/testimonials_users.asp#Sciatica
Back pain and chairs.
Go for the pillows. I tried to splurge a while ago and get a new chair, took it back and got a new pillow. I use a thin pillow for my bottom and a nice orthopedic pillow for my back. I'm tempted to try the keyboard on my lap like I've seen suggested here but my husband just brought me a new keyboard tray from a teardown job he was doing that sells for almost 200.00. I think he'd be hurt if I didn't try it.
Any knee/back pain sufferers out there? sm
What are your favorite shoes to wear that don't make your knees hurt? My back doesn't hurt if I wear Birkenstocks but my knees hurt if I do. I've tried countless types of arch supports and the ones that help my knees don't help my back. I have arthritis in both areas and the cartilage in my knees are shot due to degeneration. Yesterday I wore my Birkenstock inserts I recently got in my sneakers while I ran around Wal-Mart and boy am I ever paying for that today - my knees are killing me! Any advice would be appreciated.
Ergonomics for upper back pain?
I have been having tremendous problems with upper back pain right between my shoulder blades and up into my neck and right shoulder for weeks now. It makes typing just miserable.
Doc said I had brachial plexopathy, and gave me narcotics and told me to quit transcription. Since that isn't an option -- any ideas as to how to keep from getting this excruciating pain after an hour of typing? It goes away on weekends when I don't sit at the computer, so I'm sure it's largely related to my positioning. I've tried to fix my posture, but sitting up completely straight hurts worse than slouching.
Share any stretches, techniques for arm positioning, etc. I will be extremely grateful.
Thanks! 
Ergonomics for upper back pain
I find that it helps to get up and do a few stretch exercises. I have a 3-minute workout and microbreaks pamphlet that my husband got from his work that shows and explains some exercises including neck and back stretches. It does help when you get stiff from sitting and typing for so long. If you want me to type it up for you, just let me know and I will.
positioning footpedal; leg and back pain
Does anyone else have problems with back or leg tingling they feel is due to using a foot pedal? I switch feet but have low back pain and leg tingling I feel is due to depressing and letting up on the footpedal, etc. I have read some use a foot rest but I assume one would have to be custom built so that you could place the foot pedal on it plus your other foot. I wonder if sitting all day with your feet on a foot rest since they are built at an angle would cause problems, too. I read somewhere about an MT using a recliner which sounded comfortable but I wonder how in the world you could use a foot pedal placed on the foot rest of a recliner. If anyone has any suggestions for me I would truly appreciate it. If I don't find something soon, I am afraid I am going to have to go part-time or maybe even find a different profession.
foot pedal back pain
I had the same problem and had my honey make me a ramp for my pedals. one rectangle pice of wood with a 2 inch strip to give it a "lean." I have one for each pedal so it looks like I drive a stick while working. LOL not only helped the back pain, but my thighs don't swell as much either.
Know of any good chairs for back pain?
I have been using a $20 task chair from Wal-Mart for the past three years, I am sitting her now six months pregnant about ready to die from upper and lower back pain. Anyone have suggestions for a good quality chair they like, right now money is not an option, I would pay big $$$ for just a little relief.
back/shoulder/neck pain
last year I started out like that and so I checked the ergonomics of my keyboard, etc. I wound up moving my mouse to my left hand and that helped somewhat but later developed symptoms of a frozen shoulder. Do you get an extreme burning sensation? It took me a year to recover. I feel your pain.
I had back pain for an entire year. They did a trigger point
injection and it's gone. I couldn't believe it. I wish I'd found it sooner.
Hand pain - needing to cut back lines per week. Anyone else done this?
I have so much hand and wrist pain from all this typing. I only do 5000-6000 lines per week and that is torture. By the end of the week I have slowed down so badly it is ridiculous. I think I am going to have to cut way back before I trash my hands and wrists for good. Has anyone else had this problem and cut back on MT work? I'm trying to think of other jobs I could do for a few hours a day to make up the difference ($$)that don't involve typing.
Does anyone have any good ideas for back and hip pain from sitting all day? Anything on the market?
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel your pain. If at teaching hospital, great pain. SM
Some doctors do give standard discharge summaries, so you could just make copy and then pull it up. It is not easy, especially when they give 20 lines of lab results.
With short arms, I need chair with shallow seat, good back support and high back. Want arm rests
:+
OK! I'm glad you're back down here. Now don't go back up there and read those evil posts ag
Okay? But I have to leave you now, sadly. Thousands of noble dictating doctors are anxiously awaiting my help with their "dictations"....They're all loading up on chips, drinking lots of soda so they can burp, and then have to go to the bathroom...You know the routine! Off I go to earn some pennies!! But, truly, I am thankful that I have a job! 
PS.. It apparently worked..I heard back and already submitted the paperwork back.
I'm not sure how many people they are hiring but you shouldn't stress too hard over it. Do the best you can.
I would not do them back to back - I have done 2 and 3 jobs at the same time -- all PT - sm
It is possible to do of course but you will burn out fast. Now I do one almost FT (about 30 hours a week) and the other is about 8-10 hours a week-- I still get beat doing that and that is w/o set hours. I find that the older I get the harder it is to work late and I am only 40! But a mid afternoon 30-minute cat nap helps a lot in order to keep going on busy days.
How do you set your computer back 1 day. I messed something up and need to go back 1 day.
NM
Low pain...Low pay
Well my subconscious typed pain instead of pay. So you see I am aware of the pain of receiving low pay but it is not my intent to disgrace the field of medical transcription.
I know your pain
My genetic donor has had more wives than I can count, literally. He has seen my children maybe 3 times and the oldest is 25. We were passing through Myrtle Beach and I called to see if we could stop in and see him and she said no, her daughter was coming in and there was no room for us. So now I have not seen him in 14 years. He's 75 now. I check the obits now and then to see if he is alive and found that she had died in August (she was 83). My oldest son and his wife laughed at me because I was smiling when I read it. Knowing him, he is probably remarried by now. I don't waste time "inconveniencing" so-called loved ones. I'd rather just be at home with my children.
pain...
How old is she? If she's having pain after BMs, she needs to see a doctor. I am an expert on this topic, having suffered with abdominal pain most of my life.
She could have endometriosis, adhesions caused from a variety of things, lactose intolerance (though usually this does not cause pain after BMs), a food allergy,a cysts, etc., etc......
Urge her to go to a GYN, who probably will refer her to a GI if the GYN workup is negative.
Good Luck to her!
I know your pain
I have had two miscarriages before. My heart aches for you. I know just how you feel. I am so sorry.
Ear pain
Does anyone suffer from severe ear pain on the outside of the ear? I have it to the point of not being able to wear my headset on that side and would like to know what others have done in the past. No infection, just cartilage pain.
I had ear pain
until I started using Dictaphone head phones. Very soft and they don't put a lot of pressure on the ears.
I don't have ear pain but
I do have tinnitus. Can anything be done about that?
ear pain
I just wanted to share my experience with earaches,one time I woke up in the middle of the night with a severe earache. So I looked around the house to see what I could take. Found nothing,so I was in such pain,that I took a swig,and only a swig of whiskey,seagram 7 the pain went away,and never came back,that was about 20 years ago,I don't drink,this was a 2 year old bottle given to us by one of my husband's buisness associates one christmas,however the bottle dissappeared when my mother in law moved in 10 years later. So I am wondering if it would work on the outside of the ear,rubbed on with a cotton ball.
pain
thanks. I was wondering if there was something that I could place on the chair seat. Can you pick this up at drug store?
I so know your pain.
Have you tried using one of those wraparound microwave gel packs made for the back. I could not live without mine.
leg pain
I'm suffering the same right now. Have been with leg elevated all day. I had to not work tonight because of it. You need to walk and don't sit for so long a period of time. Get up every hour or so and move around a little. I get carried away and sit for too many hours at a time, now I'm in real pain today. Take some aspirin or ibuprofen. Raise leg with warm compresses. If not better soon, see a doctor. Just remember to walk a little every day. I haven't been but guess I'm going to start.
Right arm pain?
I have noticed soreness in my right forearm - I guess around the extensor digitorum muscle location. The only change lately is that I have started using a different computer mouse. The only difference in this mouse is that it is more reactive and works better than the last. I did order a wrist support wrap today from TranscriptionGear, thinking this would help, if indeed it is the mouse. I have also started to use more Keystrokes instead of the mouse. There have been no injuries or strains that I can remember. I have taken ibuprofen. I was wondering - has anyone had this symptom from transcribing?
Pain
I had the same thing a month ago and bought a splint for carpal tunnel. I wore it at night and it seemed to help. I also got a squeezy ball. Hope it helps you!
I know your pain
I have been in transcription for over 15 years and worked doing QA for over 8. I started recently with a company and have been having an awful QA experience. Red all over my reports coupled with constant threats. I dread opening my emails in the morning. Corrections like sometimes not putting two spaces behind a colon or period, only one, wording phrases the way they are in there samples which are then suddenly changed in the QA, things I blasted about saying I have been told numerous times when I haven't been told once...it's been really awful. I can see why now when I left my prior supervisory position of over 10 years so many of my transcriptionists were in tears and a few even left the company. I still keep in touch with several of them. I never get a kind word or anything from this company, only negative..we'll see how things go. Keep your chin up. Everyone makes a mistake. You've learned from it and now won't make whatever crucial mistakes were on your reports in the future.
I know your pain
I've not had a single email from mine and have been with a company 7 months now. I do special projects and such and never get so much as a thank you. When I started too, not a single question was ever answered. I even asked to be linked up by other people on the account via messenger and got no response.
When I managed I was always available by phone, messenger, email, etc. I made sure questions were answered immediately and I even checked my mail when my shift was over and people could call me any hours day or night. I never wanted anybody to feel like they were just "out there" alone.
Right Arm Pain
I just started doing VR a few days ago. I am using the arrow keys a great deal and started having severe pain/achiness in my right arm. I have tried ibuprofen but it doesn't really help. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I am really wondering if I am going to be able to complete my shift today. Thanks in advance!
pain in the $#*^$
Yea, but considering my work is only a few hours of audio a week (less than 10) it wasn't as bad as you think! But now that I need/want to go full time I am NOT doing it without some kind of foot pedal!
I feel your pain.
Don't forget, not getting paid for spaces also contributes to the inability to get a decent line count.
Heck, I can't even get the ESLs I had finally figured out anymore. Sometimes I'll get the same crappy dictator for 10 reports in a row. I've also had full shifts of nothing but ESLs. I sure hope all the other transcription companies are not like this.
I would suggest you start testing for other companies. I did and will soon be going to a better place (I hope). However, at this point, just getting paid for spaces will be a big step up.
I feel your pain!
I can completely relate with what you are saying. I actually have gone through a site called SupportKids.com and they were doing a good job at collecting from him. Whatever they collect they keep 33% of it and send a check to me for the rest. Unfortunately, I have not seen a dime since last December. It's as though he has either switched jobs...or whatever but he has managed to slither away for the time being. I don't get it either how these guys get away with not facing their responsibilities. I have one daughter...and we are doing pretty good...(always could be better) but money is a constant struggle and it bothers me to think that he's out there...dodging his responsibilities. My theory is that one day...he will be old..and alone...I don't get how some guys don't realize how precious children are....Like I said...we have our "money" issues but I would never change anything in my life...(other than getting a check from the sperm donor)...Give that site a look at though. All you need to get started is a court order stating what he should be paying. Good luck and hang in there....you are truly not alone!!
Does anyone know anything about pain management M.D.'s?
For someone with chronic pain, is prescribing pain pills a last resort or is this the norm?
I feel your pain
I'm the same way...the day after the end of the pay period is terrible. And, yes, I had to work like a dog yesterday, and didnt make production...so fire me!!!
You're not alone, honey, I know just how you feel. Now, how do we handle this?
I say we go for a long cool dip in the pool, lay in the sun for hours, sip Long Island Iced Tea, and forget about the rest...what cha think? 
neck pain
I had neck pain and both wrists/hands, and they thought it was carpal tunnel, finally had an MRI and had herniated disk at C5-C6 with nerve entrapment, ended up with cervical diskectomy and pain went away for a long time, but now back in my neck when I type too much, but I also have spurs in my neck and DJD in my neck. Transcription is a tough job, repetitive motion causing back, neck and arm/hand/wrist pains. I found the Thermawraps that you can buy at the store to help a lot, it has heat and you wear it like a collar. I have been to a chiropracter and acupuncturist and these did not help at all, and that is why I had the surgery. If the neck pain keeps up, I would have an MRI, I waited too long for doctor to go ahead with one, nerve was trapped under C5-C6 for 3 years and that is why I had the surgery. Good luck, hope the pain is relieved. I had it for a long time and it can be terrible.
Elbow pain
What has helped my elbow pain a lot is vitamin B complex vitamin. I read that somewhere and tried it. It helps me and may help someone else.
right knee pain
I am not an older MT, but I have been doing this for over 13 years and I just started to notice this last year that my right knee started to hurt, so I change my foot pedal to my left foot, and it really helps, so I have become ambidextrous with my foot pedal.
Oh I feel your pain
I have a habitual candy sucker. He chews, he slurps, he sucks, all while he's trying to talk. It gets especially bad when he's trying to think about what to say, he really goes to town on his candy then. I seriously want to hit him when he does this and I'm not a violent person by nature, usually I just resort to yelling at my monitor and removing my headphones at particularly juicy times.
Do you have a lot of stomach pain. I do.
:
I feel your pain....
I'm going thru similar situations myself at work, being challenged, etc. Can't go into details, as all of -them- are on this board as well. I know its so hard, but my advice is to just stick it out and be relatively silent. If you say anything, try to keep it a positive - avoid the temptation of squashing this idiot. In my case, I have found that the bigger guns really do have a sense of what is going on most times. They just keep quiet as well, but I believe that most times, those above you basically 100% know who is the one playing games, and usually the biggest clue is which of the two of you has class and dignity. Know what I mean? Hard words to live by, I know, as I am struggling with it daily, but so far, so good. Whether its fate, or karma, or justice - whatever your belief system - what does go around, comes around. You will be the victor if you keep a cool head. 
abdominal pain
Does anyone have any ideas what could be the culprit for this? My step daughter is having severe abdominal pain during and after bowel movements, in her upper middle abdomen. No temperature, no blood in bowel movements. Thanks for any input!
ABDOMINAL PAIN
Thanks for the great feedback. Hopefully she will be on the road to recovery !
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